Second Life: Have a Child in the Digital Age

Second Life by Amanda Hess A Groundbreaking Memoir of Motherhood in the Digital AgeSharp, unsettling, and deeply personal—a must-read for fans of internet culture, feminist nonfiction, and modern parenting discourse. From Amanda Hess, acclaimed New York Times culture critic, comes Second Life—a powerful memoir-meets-investigation that explores the emotional and psychological impact of pregnancy, motherhood, and parenting in an always-online world. When a routine ultrasound during her pregnancy in 2020 revealed a potential abnormality, Hess—like millions of others—turned to the internet for answers. But instead of clarity, she entered a spiral of conflicting content: algorithm-driven parenting advice, conspiracy-laced forums, influencer ideologies, and commercialized fear. In Second Life, Hess examines how the digital age rewires motherhood, identity, and the very nature of care. From fertility apps and genetic testing to YouTube birth videos and Facebook support groups, Hess maps the